Nasal discharge in my dog
Your dog can, just like you, get a runny nose. However, dogs do not get harmless common colds. If your dog has excessive nasal discharge but is otherwise still active and has a normal appetite, you can wait and see how things develop. Keep a close eye on your dog and regularly take its temperature. If your dog develops a fever or becomes lethargic, contact your veterinarian. You should also contact your veterinarian if the nasal discharge is pus-like or contains blood.
Normal nasal discharge in dogs is clear and colorless. If a dog occasionally has nasal discharge, for example when it is excited, there is no need to worry.
If the nasal discharge is much more watery or thicker (or even mucus-like) than usual, it is important to monitor your dog closely. You should also keep a close eye on your dog if the nasal discharge becomes cloudy, yellowish, or green.
- Dogs with a food allergy or other allergy may suffer from excessive nasal discharge. This is clear, watery discharge that does not smell bad. The discharge is often accompanied by sneezing, watery and/or red eyes, and a runny nose (just like in people with hay fever). Other symptoms that may indicate an allergy include itching, skin rashes, recurring ear infections, and hair loss or bald patches.
- A foreign object stuck in the nose can also cause nasal discharge. This could be grass, a small stone, or an insect, for example. The discharge often comes from only one nostril rather than both. If an object is stuck in one of your dog’s nostrils, it may also develop a nosebleed or sneeze frequently. Your dog may also scratch at its nose or rub it with its paws.
In some cases, you can remove the object blocking the nostril yourself, such as a blade of grass or an insect. Carefully try to remove it with tweezers. The inside of the nose is very sensitive and can be damaged easily, so be extremely careful. If you cannot see the object or cannot remove it yourself, it is important to contact your veterinarian. - When nasal discharge is accompanied by pus, this is usually a sign of an infection, which may be bacterial, viral, or fungal. In addition to pus-filled nasal discharge, a dog may also have foul-smelling nasal discharge, a nosebleed, and/or a cough.
- Another cause of nasal discharge accompanied by pus is a polyp or tumor in the nose. In this case, the discharge often contains blood or mucus. Your dog may also breathe noisily because the polyp or tumor obstructs the nasal passage. In some cases, you may even see a lump on the outside of the nose.
A nosebleed in dogs
A hard blow to the nose, inflammation, a growth or tumor in the nose, or a blood-clotting disorder can cause nosebleeds. If your dog suddenly has a one-time nosebleed, there is usually no need to worry; a nosebleed is naturally unpleasant, so try to keep your dog calm. You can try to stop the bleeding by holding something cold against your dog’s nose. Do not try to hold the nose closed, as dogs always breathe through their noses. If your dog has nosebleeds more often or regularly, or if the bleeding does not stop, contact your veterinarian.
